WhatsApp is now a Very Large platform in the EU, and will face tougher regulation
1 min read
Summary
Meta’s WhatsApp has crossed the threshold of having over 45 million users in the EU, meaning it now comes under the region’s stricter Digital Services Act (DSA) regulations, which include assigning “Very Large Online Platforms” (VLOPs) the duty to combat the posting of illegal goods and services, as well as giving users greater control over how their data is used.
The DSA also places controls on targeted advertising, particularly where children are involved, and gives Europeans the right to opt out of recommendation systems and profiling.
WhatsApp’s broadcasting feature, which enables channels to be created for wider dissemination of messages, averaged approximately 46.8 million monthly users in the last six months of 2024.
Meta’s Facebook and Instagram are already designated VLOPs in the region.